We need heroes these days. People to take us from this incessant era of anger, heart-ache and the fake bliss that is social media. We need people who think beyond themselves. People who look to help others in the face of evil and terror. Our time, this time in the world is not anything new or out of the ordinary. There will always be poverty, war, homeless and HATE. We have those in check, and so, what we need are heroes like the one depicted in ‘One Life,’ a film now showing at the Neon Movies.
It is rare I think to write about film. It’s always ‘iffy’ to go there. But, if you like a recommendation, here it is. Sitting at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, ‘One Life’ is proving to be that little film with a big heart, and a big consensus “You should see it…”
Anthony Hopkins (the perfect pick) stars in the film, along with Helena Bonham-Carter (a role made for her) and Johnny Flynn (such a strong, staid performance.) Flynn plays the younger Nicky Winton. the hero of our story. Winton was instrumental in saving lives during the occupation of Czechoslovakia. His focus was on the children, who needed an escape from the oncoming Nazi regime. 5 decades later, Hopkins, the elder Winton, reflects on, and is haunted by, what became of those children. And we are in for an emotional roller-coaster, as the story unfolds, almost told too conventionally….Here is what happened, and here is why it mattered. But within that conventional style, we are given the facts, and the faces of heroes. (Bring your Kleenex) It all comes together with the film’s defining moments, and our hearts are, alas, FULL!
Though there will be times when you want to push the needle forward more quickly and with more finesses in the film, it’s the beauty of the actors’ performances that keep us engaged. The children in the film alone seem like seasoned performers, tugging at our heart-strings, yet never letting us forget the horror they are facing. The atmosphere, both in flashbacks and in the later years, is well-executed….there are definite ‘moods’ to both.
The film is directed by James Hawes, (the Challenger Disaster, 2013). His modest story-telling in ‘One Life‘ again retains his desire to get the story right…and let the reality in that, do the work. The movie is based on the book ‘ If It’s Not Impossible…: The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton.’ by Barbara Winton.
For Winton, it was always about doing what’s right by people. Within the hour and 45 minute film, you cannot help but think about our world….anti-semitism, invasion, refugees, and of course, the misplaced children. Injustice…I mean isn’t that what always brings about rising heroes…in film and in life. You will leave the theater, teary-eyed and wondering who will save us from ourselves…in our ‘One Life?’
Catch ‘One Life’ at the Neon until 3/28! Info Below:
https://www.neonmovies.com/home
